Constant contamination of recycling could force a rethink in the tourist town of Methven.
The Methven recycling drop off depot has experienced a significant amount of contaminated recycling, the Methven Community Board heard at its meeting last week.
An estimated 3.5 tonnes of contaminated recycling has been redirected to landfill in the first three months of the year, which costs ratepayers an extra $2000.
The ongoing issues will be discussed in a report at the May 25 board meeting, where they will consider changing opening hours, possible fencing, or not accepting recycled goods other than those allowed in the kerbside bins.
Methven has a kerbside rubbish and recycling collection, but recyclable items can also be taken to the transfer station on the corner of Line Road and Methven Chertsey Road, with funding for its further development to be considered in the next long-term plan.
Board chairperson Megan Fitzgerald suggested it may be as simple as improving and simplifying the signage to clarify what can be dropped off at the facility.
The kerbside recycling was not faring much better and there are concerns that seasonal workers could exacerbate the issues, as well as the rising number of Airbnb properties.
Methven had 114 contaminated yellow bins in March, and 12 bins were removed from properties, with the council auditing recycling bins since 2021 under a threestrike rule.
The board had previously suggested the information stickers and posters highlighting what is acceptable in the yellow bins be redistributed around the town, but it is yet to happen.
Deputy chairperson Richie Owen supported the messaging being refreshed as the town is set for its “influx of potential winter workers coming to town” and recycling rules are different in different parts of the world, and the country.
Fellow board member Faye Barrand again pushed for an “updated sticker that people can put on their bin that would help reduce that contamination or just make people more aware of what can go in the bin”.
Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan suggested that it could already be on the way in conjunction with the rollout of green organic waste (food scraps and garden waste) kerbside collection in September.
Fitzgerald said with the levels of contamination, “where we’ve lost three and a half tonnes to landfall in the first three months [of the year], that potentially we need to just jump the gun on September”.
“I welcome the report on May 25, looking at alternative options.
“But I would like to do the lowhanging fruit of marketing first.”
